Motherwell’s stars of the future were given a £1000 cash boost from members of the Well Society recently.
The group which is the majority owner at Fir Park were able to present this donation during a girls academy session at Ravenscraig.
Finances were raised as part of a drive to encourage a healthy crowd at last month’s SWPL 1 derby between Motherwell and Hamilton, which Accies ran out 1-0 winners in.
A crowd of just under 700 took in the clash, with Motherwell eventually finishing the season seventh in the table ahead of elite women’s football in Scotland becoming the SPFL’s responsibility.
The Well Society pledged to donate £5 to the academy for every member, every person they brought with them and every new signing on the day of the Fir Park match.
Their £500 total was matched to take the grand total to £1000.
Tom Feely, co-chair of the Well Society, did the honours whilst dropping his granddaughter Emma off for training.
He said: “My granddaughter is in the U14s, so I know from being here week in, week out, just how fantastic a job the team are doing. The girls work really hard, but they have fun too.
“I think it’s so important for them to have a clear pathway, and for them to have strong links with the women’s team.
“That’s why I’m delighted that Motherwell fans, through the Well Society, have shown their support for the academy.
“If there’s others out there who would like to support just exactly what we’re up to down here, please come forward and help us as much as you’re able to.”
Paul Brownlie, head of girls’ and women’s football at Motherwell, explained: “The platform to play at Fir Park was magnificent for the players and it shows you how far the women’s first team has come.
“In the five months since we launched the academy we’ve made incredible strides.
“But it’s only going to get stronger now we’ve established ourselves. It’s been really powerful so far and long may it continue.”
Midfielder Olivia Rhodes is loving work with the girls academy at Fir Park, and she added: “They teach us a lot and they’re really good coaches.
“At school I get quite a lot of respect for playing in a team like this.
“Even at this age you feel like you’re already half a pro so it’s good.”
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